Ahead of Bharat Bandh today, at least 15 political parties and several organisations extened their support to the agitating farmers. In Karnataka, members of around 300 farmers’ organisations would participate in the bandh, Karnataka Rajya Riatha Sangha president K Chandreshekar said. Aikya Horata, a coalition of farmer, labour and Dalit groups, started an indefinite sit-in protest in Bengaluru on Monday. The Karnataka chapter of the All-India Kisan Sangharsh Co-ordination Committee (AIKSCC), a coalition of several farmer organisations, has called for a six-hour bandh on Tuesday.
The Ahmedabad Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union has extended its support to the December 8 Bharat Bandh call given by farmers’ associations protesting against three farm legislations. On Monday, the auto-rickshaw drivers’ union said more than one lakh three-wheelers will remain off the road in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
Markets part of the Mumbai Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) will remain closed on Tuesday to protest the Centre’s new farm bills after a call for Bharat Bandh across the country was announced by various farmers’ unions and organisations. The board of the Mumbai APMC, the wholesale market situated in Navi Mumbai, took the decision on Monday following a call from the Maharashtra State Market Committee to APMCs across the state. Members said all wholesale markets part of the APMC across the state will remain closed.
In Assam, all opposition parties — including Congress, AIUDF, the Left, among others — have come together to extend their “full support” to the Bharat Bandh. In Tamil Nadu, DMK and its allies have extended their support to the nationwide strike called by the farmers.
In a first for any national cricketer since the protests by the farmers began against the three farm laws, Punjab captain Mandeep Singh spent a day with the peasants at Singhu border near Delhi Tuesday.
The 28-year-old, who had played for Kings XI Punjab in this year’s IPL, reached Delhi with his elder brother Harvinder Singh and three friends Monday evening and returned to Jalandhar late Tuesday evening.
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“I was moved by seeing elders and farmers protesting at the Delhi borders and hence I decided to support them. Farmers have hearts of lions and have been protesting peacefully against the farm bills and I only wish that their demands are met as soon as possible and the issue is resolved so that they can return to their homes…in whatever way we can, we are there for the farmers,” said Mandeep while speaking with The Indian Express on his way back to Jalandhar.
Three US lawmakers have expressed deep concern over reported efforts to suppress the ongoing farmers' protests in India against agricultural reform bills. Thousands of farmers from Punjab, Haryana and several other states have been protesting on various borders of Delhi since November 26, seeking repealing of three farm laws enacted in September.
Dubbing these laws as "anti-farmer", the ryots claim that the newly enacted legislations would pave the way for the dismantling of the minimum support price system, leaving them at the "mercy" of big businesses. However, the government has maintained that the new laws will bring farmers better opportunities and usher in new technologies in agriculture.
"A respect for the rights of freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, and a thriving civil society are core components of a functioning democracy. We have been distressed this year to see actions by the Indian government that have restricted these rights for many Indians; not only for farmers, but also for religious minorities, and human rights organisations," the three lawmakers said.
Thirteen representatives of Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, a combined body of protesting farmers under the banner of All India Kisan Sangrash Coordination Committee (AIKSCC), met Union Home Minister Amit Shah Tuesday evening. The delegation included nine representatives from Punjab and one each from UP, West Bengal, MP and Haryana. However, not all representatives of the protesting farmers’ unions were called for the meeting.
Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president, BKU Ugrahan, the largest farmers’ union of Punjab, wasn’t among those invited. Voicing his misgivings, Ugrahan said, “Only some farmers’ unions were invited for the informal talks with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. I believe they shouldn’t have gone. After we had just formed the Delhi Morcha in November, I was invited by BJP leader Surjit Jayani for informal talks with the home minister. However, I turned down the talks offer saying I’ll go only when representatives of all farmers’ unions are invited. No one from BKU was invited to the meeting today and hence, none from our union went.” READ FULL STORY HERE
The farmers' meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah remained inconclusive as both sides refused to budge. All India Kisan Sabha General Secretary Hannan said, “In today’s meeting the Home Minister made it clear that the government will not repeal the laws. Shahji said that the government will give tomorrow in writing the amendments which the government is keen to.”
“There is no scope for amendments, we want repeal of laws,” Mollah said, adding “we don’t accept amendments, we want repeal,” Mollah said. “We will let you know about the next round of talks after our meeting at Singhu Border tomorrow.”
Haryana BKU president Gurnam Singh Chaduni told The Indian Express there will be no meeting between the government and the farmers tomorrow. "The government will send its proposal by tomorrow. Then we will discuss it, and decide whether there is need of another meeting," he said.
Hannan Mollah, General Secy, All India Kisan Sabha has said there will be no meeting between farmers & govt tomorrow. "Home minister Amit Shah has said that a proposal will be given to the farmer leaders tomorrow. Farmer leaders will hold a meeting over govt's proposal," he said. "The Government is not ready to take back the farm laws," he added.
The government's sixth round of talks with representatives of farmers protesting at Delhi's borders against three new farm laws is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with select farmmer leaders in a bid to break the deadlock.
Three union ministers -- Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Food Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Commerce and Industries Som Prakash -- will hold discussions again with 40 farmer unions' leaders, including the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) which is spearheading the protests.
The sixth round of meeting comes a day after a 'Bharat Bandh' was observed by the protesting farmer unions, which received support from trade unions, various other organisations as well as 24 opposition parties, including the Congress and the NCP.
A day before the government’s crucial sixth round of talks with representatives of protesting farmers, Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday met a group of 13 union leaders in a bid to break the deadlock, news agency PTI reported quoting its sources. The meeting which began at 8 is currently underway. Leaders including Hannan Mollah of the All India Kisan Sabha and Rakesh Tikait of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) are present at at meeting.
The Delhi Police has filed an FIR against Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee President Anil Chowdhury for protesting in support of Bharat Bandh.
The Delhi BJP on Tuesday hit out at Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of doing "drama" over his alleged house arrest to avoid meeting mayors and members of the BJP-ruled municipal corporations staging an indefinite dharna outside his residence.
The mayors of North, South and East Delhi municipal corporations--Jai Prakash, Anamika Mithilesh and Nirmal Jain-- accompanied by Delhi BJP vice president Harsh Malhotra and many women councillors have been protesting outside Kejriwal's Flagstaff Road residence since Monday.
They are demanding payment of "unpaid" dues of Rs 13,000 crore from the Delhi government. Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta and party MPs Parvesh Verma and Meenakshi Lekhi joined the protesting mayors Tuesday morning.
Gupta also tweeted a video purportedly showing the chief minister's car exiting the latter's residence.
"AAP leaders are spreading white lies that CM Arvind Kejriwal is under house arrest since yesterday morning, how is he leaving his residence easily if it is true?" he said.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said the unity showcased by the farmers through the 'Bharat Bandh' has underscored the need for a repeal of the farm laws. He reiterated that the farm legislations were "anti-farmer" and introduced without any discussion with the stakeholders. On farmers' call, the 'Bharat Bandh', in protest against the Centre's three farm laws, was observed in Punjab, Haryana and other states on Tuesday. Singh asked why the Centre could not heed the demands of the farmers, agitating across the country, to scrap these laws and hold fresh talks with all stakeholders. "Had I been in their place I would not have taken a minute to accept my mistake and revoke the laws," he said in a statement issued here.
In more symbolic support to the farmers’ protest on the fringes of Delhi, a senior agricultural scientist refused to accept an award from Union minister Sadanand Gowda in solidarity with the ongoing movement for the repeal of the contentious farm laws.
A long line of sports icons, mostly from Punjab, have threatened to return their awards if the Centre doesn’t roll back the three laws that are believed to have stoked the farmers’ unrest.
Dr. Varinderpal Singh, Principal Soil Chemist at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, went up on the dais at an event organised by the Fertilizers Association of India in the Capital on Monday, but refused to receive the award from the Union minister for chemicals and fertilizers.
The golden jubilee award was in recognition of the 48-year-old’s work in the field of plant nutrition. Singh stepped on the dais as his name was announced for the award, but handed copies of a letter he wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, instead, to the minister and Dr. Satish Chander, director, FAI, who was also on stage at the time.
Singh then delivered a short speech, saying, “My conscience does not allow me to receive this award when our farmers are on the roads.” (Report by Raakhi Jagga)
These doctors have set up medical camps at Delhi borders for the protesting farmers.
Called by the agitating farmers, The Bharat Bandh received backing of over 15 opposition parties. The bandh came ahead of tomorrow’s fresh round of talks between the farmers and Centre.
Left political parties protested in support of the #BharatBandh called by farmers unions against the Central government's farm laws on Tuesday in Bengaluru.
farmers are likely to meet Union home minister Amit Shah today. National spokesperson of Bhartiya Kisan Union Rakesh Tikait said farmer leaders will meet the home minister today at around 7pm.
As farmers' protests intensify, Opposition parities have decided to meet President Ramnath Kovind tomorrow at 5 pm. The joint delegation of five members will include Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar and others, said CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury as quoted by ANI.
Protesters at Ambala-Zirakpur highway hold playcards with Chapatis pasted on it saying ' No farmers, no food'. Express video/photos by Jaipal Singh
The TMC on Tuesday began its three-day-long sit-in demonstration against the new farm laws and demanded that the "anti-people" legislation should be withdrawn immediately. The farmers and agricultural workers wing of the TMC, led by its state president and TMC MLA Becharam Manna, began its sit-in demonstration in front of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in central Kolkata this afternoon. Party activists carrying placards and demanding the withdrawal of the new farm laws shouted slogans against the BJP government at the Centre. "We support the issues raised by the farmers and will hold protest programmes and sit-in demonstrations. But we are against shutdowns and the bandh culture and will not enforce it in the state," Manna told reporters.
The nationwide shutdown over the Centre's new farm laws evoked a mixed response in Jharkhand on Tuesday with government offices functioning as usual, private institutions and shops closed in some areas, while local traffic was near normal but long-distance vehicles remained off the roads. Protests and demonstrations were held in Ranchi, Dhanbad, Hazaribagh, Jamshedpur, Palamu, Dumka, Bokaro, Sahibganj and Pakur but no untoward incident was reported from anywhere, officials said. Director-General of Police MV Rao said that the situation in all the districts was peaceful. All the central government and state government offices were functioning normally in Ranchi, but the 'Bharat Bandh' had an impact on private offices and business establishments. Some private establishments were shut, while more than half were open.
Congress workers being arrested by Chandigarh police after they blocked the national highway between Chandigarh and Zirakpur during Bharat Bandh to support farmers' protest on Tuesday.
Various organisations, including transporters, held peaceful protests here on Tuesday to express solidarity with farmers who gave a call for Bharat Bandh.
The bandh evoked a mixed response in Jammu region with most public transport staying off roads. Commuters faced problems and were seen walking a distance, but shops and business establishments remained partially open.
The main protest rally was taken out by J&K Transport Welfare Association (JKTWA) from Bikram Chowk to Digyana, blocking the Jammu-Pathankot highway. The JKTWA and over a dozen other social, religious and political organizations have extended support to the bandh call.
The protests remained peaceful and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere in Jammu district or elsewhere in the province, officials said. (PTI)
Protests in support of farmers at Barnala in Punjab.
Amid the national shutdown against new agri laws of the Centre, farmer leaders in Maharashtra on Tuesday accused the government of favouring corporates by bringing these legislations.
Former MP from Kolhapur district and Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatna (SSS) leader Raju Shetti said the Centre will have to withdraw these laws in view of the mounting pressure.
"Farmers in the country have come together to oppose the new acts cleared by Parliament. The pressure is mounting and the Centre will have to withdraw these acts. The Centre is helping corporates through such acts," Shetti told reporters. (PTI)
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar arrives at the residence of Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar to meet him.
Around 100 people staging a protest in support of farmers at Gurgaon's Bilaspur chowk today have been taken into "preventive custody" by police. Those detained include Rajya Sabha MP KK Ragesh.
Artists Perumal Murugan and TM Krishna extend their support to farmers.
Lambasting the Congress party for backing a nationwide strike over the farm laws, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani Tuesday challenged former party president Rahul Gandhi to tell the difference between kothmir (coriander) and methi (fenugreek).
Rupani was addressing a public function in Mehsana of North Gujarat after laying the foundation stone for a Narmada-based water supply scheme and a sewerage treatment plant in the region.
The CM said, “When the people of this country have discarded them, Congress and opposition parties are out to do agitation in the name of farmers and mislead the people.
“I want to ask…Rahul Gandhi, if you can make out, answer me if what is the difference between kothmir (coriander) and methi (fenugreek). Else, all know about your knowledge.”
The ruling TRS, opposition parties including the Congress and various unions on Tuesday held protests across Telangana as part ofthe 'Bharat Bandh' against the NDA government's new agri laws.
Expressing support to the bandh, the TRS decided to actively participate in the protests in the state to ensure it was a success.
State Transport Minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar and TRS leader in Lok Sabha Nama Nageswara Rao attended a sit-in protest at Khammam.
State women and child welfare minister Satyavati Rathod and Endowments Minister A Indrakaran Reddy participated in protests at Mahabubabad and Nirmal towns respectively.
Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka attended a 'rasta roko' at Shamirpet here along with other party leaders.
Telangana Jana Samiti(TJS) leader M Kodandaram, CPI state secretary Chada Venkata Reddy, his CPI (M) counterpart Tammineni Veerabhadram and activists of Left parties and Left-affiliated trade and other unions held a protest at Kothi in the city. (PTI)
A group of women volunteers ask the shopkeepers to close their shops in support of the Bharat Bandh call at Chandigarh's Sector-17 Plaza on Tuesday.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar on farm laws: Tomorrow 5-6 people from different political parties are going to sit, discuss and take a collective stand. We have a 5 pm appointment tomorrow with the President. We will present our collective stand before him. (ANI)
Opposition DMK and its allies including the Congress held protests across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on Tuesday as part of the farmers' call for 'Bharat Bandh', demanding the Centre to repeal the three farm laws.
In the union territory, ruled by the Congress, the bandh call evoked a near total response with buses, taxis and autos staying off the roads and traders, retail outlets and other commercial establishments downing shutters to support the shutdown while government offices saw thin attendance.
In Tamil Nadu, public and private transportation and normal life was largely unaffected barring traffic congestions in the vicinity of protest locations.
Close to 50 per cent of the shops remain shut in various districts of Tamil Nadu including Pudukkotai, Thiruvarur, Mayiladuthurai, Sirkazhi, Erode, Satyamangalam, Kanchipuram, Chengalpet, Thanjavur and Karur supporting the farmers protest. (With PTI inputs)
K Balakrishnan, CPM state secretary: "We are fighting not just Modi, we are fighting Edappadi (Palanisami) as well. People who supports this bill will be a taught a lesson in the upcoming election."
"If the farmers are fighting in Delhi and they have given the call for a nationwide agitation, it becomes the responsibility of the opposition to support it. We are not part of the struggle but we are supporting it."
Members and supporters of the INC and the AAP protest at the ITO, while taking part in the national Chakka Jam called over the farm bill in New Delhi on Tuesday. (Express Photograph by Tashi Tobgyal)
Students sit on protest at Sector 17 Plaza in Chandigarh to support Bharat Bandh called by farmers on Tuesday.
Scenes during the Bharat Bandh call in support of the farmers' protests in Kharar on Tuesday.
Activist Anna Hazare commences his one day token fast in support of farmers' agitation at Padmadevi Temple in Ralegam Siddhi.
Congress workers blocked Chandigarh-Zirakpur highway during Bharat Bandh in support of farmers on Tuesday. (Express photo by Jaipal Singh)
Union minister Prakash Javadekar: "Farmers had demanded remunerative price additional to the cost and we are giving them 50% above the cost. Congress has never offered anything during their tenure. It is PM Modi who is giving this."
"The opposition who is asking to roll back these laws is hypocritical as they had passed the contract farming act while in power. Congress has mentioned the introduction of these laws in their manifesto." (ANI)
In response to the Bharat Bandh call given by various farmers organization on Tuesday, all market committees of Maharashtra have decided to suspend trade on December 8. Wholesale mandis across the state wore a deserted look as trade remained suspended.
Input by Parthsarthi Biswas
Protesters in Haryana and Punjab have intensified their agitation in support of farmers' call for Bharat Bandh. Here are the latest developments:
- Haryana farmers start moving to roads in some parts of the state particularly in Fatehabad, Jind and Hisar. Some link roads blocked. Authorities discontinue bus services to some routes from Jind
- With their hookahs, farmers sit on dharma on Hisar-Jind national highway near Ikkas village to block the highway
- Markets closed in Jind town
- Jind- Kaithal road blocked. Yamunanagar- Chandigarh highway blocked near Yamunanagar
- Haryana roadways employees observe "chakka jam" in support of farmers in many places
Congress supporters burn tyres near Fategunj post office in support of Bharat Bandh. Police intervened and detained the protestors. (Express Photo By Bhupendra Rana)
Farmers in Tumakuru district held a protest demanding that the recent farm reforms Acts be scrapped both at the Centre and the state. The state government has introduced amendments to Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1961, and Karnataka APMC Act, 1966.
In West Bengal's North 24 Parganas, members of the Left play football on a road in Madhyamgram Chowmatha.
Employees go back after shutting a bank during Bharat Bandh at Barewal road in Ludhiana. (Express photo by Gurmeet Singh)
Left political parties and Students' Federation of India (SFI) protest at NH 16 in Visakhapatnam in support of Bharat Bandh called by farmer unions.
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut: "It's no political Bandh. It's our sentiment. Farmer organisations agitating in Delhi aren't carrying any political flag. It's our duty to stand in unity with farmers and stay connected to their sentiments. There is no politics here and there shouldn't be."
"If the government has a heart, be it the Home Minister or the Prime Minister, they themselves will go and talk to them (farmers)." (ANI)
Aam Aadmi Party alleges that Delhi police have put CM Arvind Kejriwal under "house arrest" and no one has been allowed to enter or leave his house since yesterday evening.
MCD mayors have been camping outside the CM house since yesterday, demanding release of funds they say the government owes them.
Ahead of the bandh, the Delhi Police deployed personnel “outside offices of all political parties, the Agriculture Minister’s residence and Krishi Bhawan” to ensure law and order is maintained. “Delhi Police has made adequate arrangements to ensure normal movement of people on roads for the proposed bandh. Anybody who tries to disrupt normal movement/life or forcefully closes shops will be strongly dealt with, as per law,” Delhi Police additional PRO Anil Mittal had said.
Protestors raise slogans during a march in Ranchi in support of Bharat Bandh today.
Social activist Anna Hazare on Tuesday sat on a day-long hunger strike to support agitating farmers who have called Bharat Bandh demanding the repeal of the Centre's agri laws.
In a recorded message, Hazare appreciated farmers' protests at the borders of Delhi saying no violence has taken place in the last 10 days of the agitation.
"I appeal to the people of the country that the agitation which is going on in Delhi should spread across the country. The situation needs to created to create pressure o the government, and to achieve this, farmers need to hit the streets. But no one should resort to violence," said Hazar who began his fast in Ralegan Siddhi village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra.
He said this was the "right time" for farmers to come out on the streets and get their issues resolved. "I had backed this cause earlier also, and wil continue to do so," he said. (PTI)
Various farmer organisations are protesting against the farm laws in Bengaluru today. Members of the Aikya Horata Samiti staged a protest near the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Maurya Circle in Bengaluru.
Naupada Police arrests Rasta Roko protesters on Express Highway in front of Gyansadhana College. (Express photo by Deepak Joshua)
Congress leaders protest in support of Bharat Bandh called by farmer unions, raise slogans against the Centre and show black flags, in front of Gandhi statue at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) workers burn a tyre at Ganj Chowk in Darbhanga to show their support to Bharat Bandh called by farmer unions.
Trains stuck at Barasat station due to blockade in North 24 Parganas. (Express photo Shashi Ghosh)
Navi Mumbai Vashi APMC market closed due to Bharat band.
We're ensuring that public does not face inconvenience and there's no traffic disruption. Adequate security deployed at all important entry/exit points to/from the dist. We also deployed PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) force: Love Kumar, Additional CP, Gautam Buddh Nagar, told ANI.
"Officers are making the rounds in their respective areas and ensuring that no one imposes Bandh forcibly. Everyone has been instructed to ensure security of railway stations, bus stands, metro stations and autos. We'll strictly deal with anyone who takes law in their hands," he added.
The Gujarat Police has said it would impose prohibitory orders in the state on Tuesday in view of the Bharat Bandh call given in support of the farmers’ agitation, even as Chief Minister Vijay Rupani declared that Gujarat would remain open and his government would ensure that nobody tries to forcefully shut down businesses and shops. The CM also warned of legal action against those “trying to vitiate the atmosphere”.
At a press conference on Monday, Director General of Police Ashish Bhatia said that section 144 prohibiting assembly of more than four persons at a public place will be imposed across Gujarat on Tuesday. He added that those attempting to click pictures and videos of any agitation and posting on social media also will be booked.
“Section 144 notification in districts and cities on December 8 will be announced by respective police commissioners and senior officials so that there is no assembly of more than four persons… Check post points at border cities have been set up to ensure smooth management of traffic on state highway. Bandobast has also been arranged outside APMCs and markets. Anyone forcibly shutting shops and businesses forcibly or destroying public and private properties will be booked and arrested,” Bhatia said.
Thousands of farmers in Karnataka will join the Bharat bandh on Tuesday. Karnataka Rajya Riatha Sangha president K Chandreshekar said members of around 300 farmers’ organisations would participate. Aikya Horata, a coalition of farmer, labour and Dalit groups, started an indefinite sit-in protest in Bengaluru on Monday. The Karnataka chapter of the All-India Kisan Sangharsh Co-ordination Committee (AIKSCC), a coalition of several farmer organisations, has called for a six-hour bandh on Tuesday.
The Karnataka Congress said it would launch a letter drive against the farm and labour laws. According to Congress Karnataka chief D K Shivakumar, these letters with the signature of farmers and labourers would be sent to the President.
“Congress president Sonia Gandhi has directed the party workers to gather the opinion of the farmers and labourers by way of signature on the letter. On the directions of our party president Sonia Gandhi, we are going to provide 8.8 lakh letters to the farmers and labourers who will sign on it and send it to the President of India,” Shivakumar said.
Inputs by Darshan Devaiah
In Maharashtra, the ruling Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress are among the key parties to support the nationwide strike. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut urged people to take part in the “non-political” bandh to support farmers. Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik said NCP workers would join the shutdown by observing social distancing norms.
However, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses and taxis will ply as scheduled during Tuesday’s ‘Bharat bandh’, PTI reported. The All India Motor Transport Congress, an apex body of trucker outfits, said it would “join the Bharat bandh and suspend their operations on December 8”. “Transportation of essential commodities like milk, vegetables and fruits have been excluded from the bandh,” said Daya Natkar, secretary of Maharashtra Rajya Truck Tempo Tankers Vahatuk Sangh.